Think back to when you were a student. Books were used along with paper and pencil to track thinking. All learning was done through lecture and some group work. All students completed the same assignment without differentiation. Computers were used by the office staff and rarely available for student use. When you think back, learning was not designed for you as an individual, learning was designed for a one size fits all approach.
The 21st century learner of today does not fit this model. Times have changed within the classroom and now the push for technology within the classroom has created a whole new approach to learning and curriculum. The need for students to bring in their own devices has spiked significantly. Districts are buying technology at an alarming rate in order to keep up with the changing times. Common Core has pushed districts to spend money that they don’t have in order for students to master standards. So what does all of this mean?
What is BYOD?
To understand why the push for technology, you need to understand what the term BYOD means. BYOD, commonly known as “Bring your own device” is a movement that schools are looking at in order to save money on technology upgrades and purchases. There are many risks with adapting a BYOD policy but as many schools make this move, the risks tend to outweigh the rewards. Bonk’s (2009) theory states that through the acronym WE ALL LEARN, students are able to learn at their own pace and capture the world within their hands. WE ALL LEARN is designed to be used with this BYOD movement and at anytime or at anyplace, information is within your reach. If you take into consideration the 21st century learner, this type of student has grown up in a world of want it now, need it now. Through fostering the BYOD initiative, schools are able to cater to these learners and improve the learning experience.
What is F/OSS?
Through the push for BYOD in school districts, another hot technology topic being seen currently in schools is the move to implement more free and open source software into classroom instruction. Programs such as Moodle provide opportunities for schools to implement an online type of learning environment for no cost. When schools are able to implement more F/OSS into the curriculum, students are exposed to more online learning and self guided instruction. The new Common Core Standards have teachers frantically searching for websites that allow for self-paced learning and incorporate a virtual learning feel. Districts that are strapped for cash are jumping at the opportunity to incorporate some of these programs into the curriculum because of little to no cost for these programs. Through the Common Core initiative, teachers become more of a facilitator when it comes to student learning. With the big push to have students graduate with computer skills, the F/OSS initiative allows for students to not only learn appropriate content but develop the crucial skills that are needed in the work force once students enter the workforce.
Current need for BYOD with F/OSS in our schools An interview conducted with educational technology teacher Dennis Murphy (2014) discussed the importance of training for staff members when it comes to implementation of new technologies. Currently, school districts are experiencing budget cuts that have impacted the technology movement within the districts. Without the funding that can be provided for schools, the students and teachers will not be able to keep up with the rigorous expectations of the common core. Core subjects who are expected to implement more technology are going to be the areas that struggle with the change (Murphy, 2014). Providing support to those core areas will help all meet the requirements and adjust to the changes. Funding is going to be what stops schools from keeping up with and incorporating more technology into the curriculum (Murphy, 2014). With all of the changes due to the new common core initiative and the lack of funds within schools, districts are hoping to eventually adapt a BYOD policy for students so that all students are able to experience the virtual learning environment and access some of those F/OSS programs that will enhance the learning experience. Throughout this literature review, you will be exposed to data and research that supports the usage of BYOD and F/OSS within our schools.
Think back to when you were a student. Books were used along with paper and pencil to track thinking. All learning was done through lecture and some group work. All students completed the same assignment without differentiation. Computers were used by the office staff and rarely available for student use. When you think back, learning was not designed for you as an individual, learning was designed for a one size fits all approach.
The 21st century learner of today does not fit this model. Times have changed within the classroom and now the push for technology within the classroom has created a whole new approach to learning and curriculum. The need for students to bring in their own devices has spiked significantly. Districts are buying technology at an alarming rate in order to keep up with the changing times. Common Core has pushed districts to spend money that they don’t have in order for students to master standards. So what does all of this mean?
What is BYOD?
To understand why the push for technology, you need to understand what the term BYOD means. BYOD, commonly known as “Bring your own device” is a movement that schools are looking at in order to save money on technology upgrades and purchases. There are many risks with adapting a BYOD policy but as many schools make this move, the risks tend to outweigh the rewards. Bonk’s (2009) theory states that through the acronym WE ALL LEARN, students are able to learn at their own pace and capture the world within their hands. WE ALL LEARN is designed to be used with this BYOD movement and at anytime or at anyplace, information is within your reach. If you take into consideration the 21st century learner, this type of student has grown up in a world of want it now, need it now. Through fostering the BYOD initiative, schools are able to cater to these learners and improve the learning experience.
What is F/OSS?
Through the push for BYOD in school districts, another hot technology topic being seen currently in schools is the move to implement more free and open source software into classroom instruction. Programs such as Moodle provide opportunities for schools to implement an online type of learning environment for no cost. When schools are able to implement more F/OSS into the curriculum, students are exposed to more online learning and self guided instruction. The new Common Core Standards have teachers frantically searching for websites that allow for self-paced learning and incorporate a virtual learning feel. Districts that are strapped for cash are jumping at the opportunity to incorporate some of these programs into the curriculum because of little to no cost for these programs. Through the Common Core initiative, teachers become more of a facilitator when it comes to student learning. With the big push to have students graduate with computer skills, the F/OSS initiative allows for students to not only learn appropriate content but develop the crucial skills that are needed in the work force once students enter the workforce.
Current need for BYOD with F/OSS in our schools
An interview conducted with educational technology teacher Dennis Murphy (2014) discussed the importance of training for staff members when it comes to implementation of new technologies. Currently, school districts are experiencing budget cuts that have impacted the technology movement within the districts. Without the funding that can be provided for schools, the students and teachers will not be able to keep up with the rigorous expectations of the common core. Core subjects who are expected to implement more technology are going to be the areas that struggle with the change (Murphy, 2014). Providing support to those core areas will help all meet the requirements and adjust to the changes. Funding is going to be what stops schools from keeping up with and incorporating more technology into the curriculum (Murphy, 2014). With all of the changes due to the new common core initiative and the lack of funds within schools, districts are hoping to eventually adapt a BYOD policy for students so that all students are able to experience the virtual learning environment and access some of those F/OSS programs that will enhance the learning experience. Throughout this literature review, you will be exposed to data and research that supports the usage of BYOD and F/OSS within our schools.